Nepal

Nepal is one of the poorest nations in Asia and has a per capita income is 490 dollars (2010), whereas Nepal is a country with an abundance of nature with eight peaks of 8,000-meter class of mountains, which many tourists and mountain-climbers visit from Japan. In 1996, Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) staged an armed uprising, which led to a 10-year civil war. Since the Comprehensive Peace Accord of November 2006, progress has been made in the peace process, but Nepal faces significant political issues such as drafting a new constitution, and the political and social situations are unstable. Furthermore, industries with high potential have not developed into viable industries that drive economic growth, which is inhibited also by inadequate road, electric power and other infrastructures. Aiming to achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth, JICA is providing assistance to construct roads, hydropower plants, water facilities and other infrastructure, develop the private sector, establish legal and other national and social frameworks, and strengthen administrative capacity, as well as supporting the reduction of poverty in rural areas through such areas as agriculture, education and health services.